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5. APPLICATION
5.1 Using the M-Patch 2
You can use M-Patch 2 anywhere you want to trim the amount
of gain; ie, reduce the volume of analog audio signals. For
example, you could use one to trim the output of a
microphone pre-amplifier. With its high-quality potentiometer,
the M-Patch 2 passes signal more accurately, and sounds
better than most built-in volume controls. Another use might
be to trim the levels of a 5.1 or greater multi-channel monitor
system -- either one pair of channels, or two, or all of them.
You can also use the M-Patch 2 to trim the output level of a
Digital to Analog Converter like those found in high end pre-
amplifiers. It is also useful as a local volume control for
distributed audio systems. The possibilities are endless!
Handy applications...
The M-Patch 2 is great for those times when you prefer to
monitor directly from the outs on your sound card or audio
interfaces main outputs directly to your monitors. When your
monitors are on they are normally extremely loud. As a result,
you may become a bit frustrated as the volume is often simply
too high to be comfortable. Your only choice is to hook up
through an external mixer and attenuate the signal or to
attenuate the signal in the computer outputs, thereby
degrading your bit-levels. Neither solution is completely
satisfying. Mixers add color to the signal and reducing the
digital output in the computer will compromise the fidelity of
your audio.
Simple steps for your home workstation…
1. Typically you should connect the output of your soundcard
or audio interface to the input of the M-Patch 2 using RCA,
TRS or XLR jacks. You could also connect multiple connections
at the same time if required. For example, connect the
outputs of your audio interface (eg. Digidesign MBox 2) to the
balanced combo connectors, and your soundcards mini-jack
output to the stereo 3.5mm AUX input on the M-Patch 2. You
could also connect your CD or other line level device to the
